xiv INTRODUCTION 



measured at the time. The publisher is courageously 

 kind to allow this to reach the public. 



The maps, which I have already published in the 

 Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, are the 

 results of prismatic compass sketches. As they 

 closed well, I do not think they will be found 

 very inaccurate. At the time of making, they were 

 the only ones, of the localities, in existence. 



In conclusion, I hope that no incidents in this 

 volume will give offence, for none is meant. The 

 conditions criticised have in many cases considerably 

 altered ; in others they were but passing shadows on 

 the fair surface of an administration which has scarcely 

 an equal. I have studiously avoided giving names, 

 where I thought that perhaps the hero of an anecdote 

 would prefer it ; so that if A or B recognises himself, 

 I hope he will be generous and forgive if he thinks 

 that what is put down would be better left alone, as 

 he knows that only those who already know the story 

 will be able to fix names. 



A word as to the title. It claims a great deal ; 

 with what poor justification the reader will decide. 

 I feel that I have been sounding my own trumpet, 

 though I can honestly say I have embroidered nothing 

 intentionally. As, however, my Western District 

 (Bahr el Ghazal) became known as " Utopia Un- 

 limited," from my descriptions of it to one of the 

 j oiliest mess I was ever a member of, I may be accused 

 of taking a rosy view of things. 



